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Vacuum Clamping Add-On
Product Description
The Project: EVS-2™ and Project: V4™ vacuum presses can be used for much more than just veneering. With this clamping kit you can use the massive holding power of vacuum to instantly hold work pieces to your bench top for sanding, routing, carving and more. The kit includes a pneumatic latching foot pedal to instantly apply and release vacuum to clamping jigs on the work bench.
Vacuum clamping jigs are required to complete this clamping system. We offer everything needed to make a custom jigs or simply order our very versatile Podz™ system shown below.
System Compatibility
This kit is an add-on for the Project V4™ and EVS-2™ vacuum press systems that have the new version of our lock-on connector. It is not designed for use with our Excel™ vacuum press kits and it has not been tested with any other vacuum press system.
Assembly Instructions: Click here
Includes:
- (1) 3-Way Latching Pneumatic Foot Pedal
- (1) Vacuum Filter
- (12') Vacuum Jig Tubing
- (1) Brass Hex Plug
- (1) 2" Brass Pipe
- (1) Brass Barbed Elbow (1/4" NPT to 1/4" Barb)
- (1) Short Brass Street Elbow
- (1) Long Brass Street Elbow
- (1) Brass Vacuum Clamping Fitting (new version*)
- (1) Roll of Thread Sealing Tape
- (1) Composite Plastic Baseplate with Filter Support
- (8) Screws
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Podz™ are simple vacuum jigs designed to affordably clamp projects to your bench top. Using the power of your vacuum press and clamping system, the Podz™ 25-piece kit allows you to configure the clamping jigs any way you choose to clamp projects as small as 4" x 4" and as large as 5' x 4'. Purchase additional Podz kits and you can expand the project size to panels of any size! With the Podz™ system, you can vacuum clamp work pieces to your bench top for routing, sanding, trimming, sawing, carving, dovetailing, staining, planing, scraping, and more. Each Podz™ clamping jig is made from high density polyethylene and is pre-drilled and pre-tapped. Assembly is quick and simple. Use one Podz jig for small work or link multiple Podz together for larger panels. A set of four spring-loaded ball valves is included with each Podz™ jig which allows you to pre-arrange each jig on your work bench (with the vacuum source operating). These valves minimize the loss of vacuum pressure and keep the jigs in place until the work piece is ready for clamping. Kit Contents:
Assembly Time: 10 minutes |
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Notes from Joe:
- Podz™ clamping jigs work best on non-porous surfaces. This includes your bench top. If you have a porous wood bench top, the vacuum pressure will be diminished. In this case, I recommend applying several coats of oil based polyurethane to seal the pores and allow maximum vacuum clamping pressure.
_ - Porous woods such as oak and walnut will allow vacuum pressure to escape from the system. You can choose to allow this air to leak out and clamping pressure will be decreased. Alternatively, you can place blue painter's tape or even contact paper on the clamp side of the work piece. This will create a non-porous surface that can be clamped with vacuum.
_ - The Podz™ system is adjustable. You can cut the tubing to any size needed for the scope of your projects. I recommend using a 4-3-4 tube layout. This means four feet of tube from jig #1 to jig #2, three feet of vacuum tube from jig #2 to jig #3, and four feet of vacuum tube from jig#3 to jig#4.
_ - A set of four spring-loaded ball valves is included with each Podz™ jig which allows you to pre-arrange each jig on your work bench (while the vacuum source operating). The valves minimize the loss of vacuum pressure and keep the jigs in place until your work piece in set on top.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals, including lead, which are known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Will the vacuum clamping add-on work with the Excel 1™, Excel 3™, or Excel 5™ systems?
The clamping add-on is designed for our auto-cycling vacuum press kits (Project: V4™, Project: EVS-2™). It is not designed for continuous-run kits such as our Excel 1, 3, and 5. However, vacuum clamping can still be accomplished with the Excel kits with just two products. The first is our electric foot pedal and the second is our Podz™ vacuum clamping jigs.
Can I use this kit with and Project: V2™ and older Project: EVS™ kits?
Yes, but you must upgrade your lock-on connector to the new style.
Can I vacuum clamp porous materials with this add-on kit?Most species of wood and many man-made sheet materials are porous. This will allow vacuum to escape from the vacuum clamping system. The impact from this on the clamping system depends on the porosity of the material and the CFM rating of the vacuum source.
Porous materials such as oak, walnut, MDF, and particle board will leak a lot of vacuum and will cause the vacuum system to run more frequently or continuously. If the vacuum system runs continuously while clamping then there might not be enough vacuum to maintain good clamping power. There is a common work-around for this issue which is to apply a high quality packing tape to the back of the project surface. Be sure to remove any dust or debris from the surface, then apply the tape and press it firmly onto the surface. Fully cover the areas where the clamping jigs will be attached. Remove packing tape when the clamping work has been completed.
Does the clamping area on my work bench have to be non-porous for this system to hold vacuum?
It's best to use a non-porous work bench surface. If the work bench is made a porous material such as oak, walnut, MDF or particle board then the vacuum press system will run very frequently or continuously.
What is the approximate size of the clamping pedal assembly?
7.75" x 8.25" x 4.25"
Where can I learn more about the Podz™ clamping jigs?
There is a very helpful questions and answer tab on the Podz product page.
Product Reviews
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Very Good Quality
Review by Brian Evans
Rating:
Very good quality, works perfectly. Connected to some vacuum clamping fixtures from [another company]. I don't know how you would use vacuum clamping without something like this.
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Uses My Vacuum Press to Hold Boards for Sanding and Routing
Review by Ron Payton
Rating:
I bought this clamping kit and Podz jigs to go with the Project V4 vacuum press I just built. This is a great way to use vacuum to hold small and large boards to your workbench. Just click the foot pedal down and it locks the board in place. Click again to release it instantly. As mentioned on my other review the owner of this website is very helpful. I have to hesitations buying from this site.
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Great Foot Valve for Vacuum Clamping
Review by David Chamberlain
Rating:
The clamp add-on came in today. I got it assembled and hooked it up to the vacuum jig on my CNC. It works great. Before, I had to turn away from my CNC, close one valve to shut off the vacuum and then open another valve to release the work piece. Now, I keep my hands on the work piece, step on the foot valve, remove the work piece, position a new work piece and step on the valve. It is a real time saver.
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Great Product
Review by Ryan Gifford
Rating:
This foot pedal was the make or break part to my vacuum worksholding project. Works perfectly! It was easy to assemble, straight forward, and just the right size.
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Well Worth the Money
Review by Paul Schultz
Rating:
In addition to the other positive reviews here I will add that this has two advantages I didn't consider when I purchased it: 1) The filter is a pre filter to my EVS-2 filter so is an additional layer of protection. It's captured a good amount of sawdust already and is easy to clean. 2) It frees up both of my hands to quickly apply down pressure on the part to create the initial suction.
It also makes it quick and easy to turn the vacuum on and off. I'm sure it will last at least the rest of my life.
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Amazing kit!
Review by John Fuda
Rating:
This is an amazing kit. It is extremely well thought out and the instructions could not be clearer. I enjoyed building it and the performance when coupled with Project V4, a set of Podz, and my nearly silent California Air Tools compressor is amazing. I've used a vacuum pump in the past and this is so much more pleasant to use - quiet and without the oil mist the pump left in the air.
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Outstanding Quality and Very Useful
Review by Mike Fuchs
Rating:
I've used a variety of vacuum products from Veneer Supplies.com over the years and never been disappointed. I finally decided to get one of these foot-operated vacuum switches. It is of truly outstanding build quality - well designed and very strong and sturdy. On top of that the kit they've assembled is COMPLETE - everything you need to put this into operation.
The foot pedal is a latching valve, so you don't have to keep your foot on it. Step to turn on, step again to turn off. Controlling the vacuum air flow this way is far superior to trying to turn the vacuum pump on and off electrically (if your pump could even survive that latter situation.)
I will repeat myself and compliment these good folks at Veneer Supplies. They curate only top quality products and materials, and their customer service is great. Buy with confidence.
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Great Product
Review by Ron Husbands
Rating:
Great product, very convenient and works just as described. Strong suction.
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Excellent Design, Well Made Kit for Foot Switch / Filter
Review by Mark Muntean
Rating:
I am a serious hobby woodworker and have been exploring various vacuum clamping products. This foot switch / filter assembly kit comes complete with everything needed for assembly. The parts are well made and fit well. The instructions are precise and methodical. Takes about 20 minutes to assemble, and works flawlessly. Very well done!
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Great Addition to CNC Clamping System
Review by Doug Meredith
Rating:
Wanted this for use in my CNC clamping system to make it easier to vacuum and release my work. Arrived ahead of schedule and the assembly was very straightforward. Joe was very prompt in answering my couple of questions.
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Review from Pittsboro, NC
Review by Jonathan Ward
Rating:
This clamping pedal works like a champ. You'll have it in use a few minutes after it arrives. Having both hands free while you run the vacuum control with your foot is really great.
I have bought numerous products from Veneer Supplies, and am a satisfied customer-for-life. Joe runs a great site here. There's a wealth of information here, along with all the parts you need to make your ideas happen. I adapted Joe's design for a DIY vacuum press by connecting the system to a larger air tank, and wound up with a system that provides more-than-adequate vacuum with minimal pump cycling.
Thanks to Veneer Supplies, I have plumbed my whole stringed instrument shop (2,000 square feet) with vacuum, and use vacuum clamping for most work-holding operations. Double-faced tape and other jackleg work retention methods don't hold a candle to vacuum. And there is no better way to apply veneers.
Service from Veneer Supplies is immediate, and they devote personal attention to your order. You will not have a better experience as a customer. I give this product and the company a very enthusiastic 5 stars.
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Review from Altanta, GA
Review by Steve Poulter
Rating:
Works great! I do production runs of parts several times a year. Ten separate vacuum clamping steps per part in about 15 minutes. It works out to 24,000 clamp and unclamp operations under rough use for 2 years before I broke it. I looked at other foot valves costing almost 10 times as much, decided to buy 2 more of these so I would have a spare. The new one will get treated better.
The Add on kit is well worth the price. The dust filter and fittings are at a better price than I could find locally.
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Review from Ottawa, Ontario
Review by Lance Poulter
Rating:
My order was shipped promptly and received in record time (4 business days) with no additional charges or taxes. The shipment was well packaged, complete, undamaged and all items were exactly as described on the site. I intend to use the components for a template router setup and to add vacuum clamping to a plastic bending machine. Great kit. Thanks, Joe.
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Review from Kapolei, Hawaii
Review by Jerry Himalaya
Rating:
If you don't like running around and purchasing every little piece separately just to find they don't stock everything in one place, then this kit is PERFECT! It made my assembly time quicker and without the frustration of not having all the correct parts. With my purchase I added on the Podz Kit and I strongly suggest this kit. It makes me smile in amazement every time I use it.
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Review from Pulaski, NY
Review by Jeremy Hopewell
Rating:
My company builds custom wood counter tops and we needed a good system for holding the tops in place while we route the ends and sand the tops. This clamping kit works as described. The parts all appear to be commercial grade. The click on and click off function of the foot pedal is extremely handy. I use this kit with my air powered vacuum system and its a huge time saver. This is well worth the cost in every respect.
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Review from Greenwood, IN
Review by Steve Spurgin
Rating:
Excellent kit. I got everything needed to build the vacuum clamps with Joe's website instructions. I also bought the vacuum press kit and it works great too! Thanks Joe!!!!
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